Garden thus far...

The garden is doing well...we cut our first green beans this morning...they were cooking about 10 minutes after they were cut off of the plant and boy were they yummy! We were probably the only family on the block who had greeen beans for breakfast, but hey - we're a little different. :) Our outdoor cat Steve (or Big Steve as my husband likes to call him) is earning his keep by keeping bunnies & other critters out of the garden. Good job Steve!

Beth, David & Shane at The Oaks...

**********Please click on image to enlarge.... **********

Yesterday I was invited to shoot the intimate wedding of Beth, David & Shane. I know that usually there are only a bride & groom getting married, but yesterday Beth & David became husband & wife, and Beth, David & Shane officially became a family. 4 year old Shane is a doll, and since he pretty much stole the show I thought it only fair to include him in my blog. He was a very attentive (ok, not really, but he sure was CUTE!) best man, and was the picture of happiness as he helped give his mom to be united in marriage.

It was a very touching ceremony for me for so many reasons (just look at the pictures of them looking at each other during the ceremony!). Beth, David & their parents were all so gracious & warm, and the ceremony was so touching - especially the part where the bride & groom presented young Shane with an Oak sapling that they explained was to plant in their front yard so they could watch it grow into a big tree as they grew as a happy family. What a happy coincidence that they got married at "The Oaks" and hired "Acorn Photography" to document their special day!

As the mom of a young son, watching Davids mom wipe away tears of joy during the ceremony was enough to put a big lump in my throat even before Cantor Jan Morrison recited the Apache Wedding Blessing, which was read at my own wedding years ago. It was a very beautiful day, and I feel special for sharing it. Thank you Beth & David for allowing me to share your special day. Your proofs are already online - check your e-mail for the password, and...

"...May your days be good and long upon the Earth."

Beth Serughetti (the bride) said...
We hired Acorn Photography after getting a recommendation and viewing Beth's photographs on her website. We were so happy with the job Beth did. She was such a professional - prompt, organized, and willing to take all different types of shots. We feel we got so much more than we could have expected from any photographer... that is beacuse Beth was so personable and you could feel the enjoyment she gets from taking pictures. It was such a pleasure working with her and we feel so lucky to have found her!!!!

Thank you so much Beth!! You & your entire family were truly a pleasure to work with ~ I loved being a part of your special day. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed your Acorn Photography experience so much.

Odd happenings at Bombay Hook...

Late Sunday afternoon (magic hour to us photographers) my family & I took a drive around Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge hoping to relax & see some nice wildlife. We go quite often, but I regretfully almost always forget to bring a camera. This time I was fully loaded with my Nikon and boy was I glad! We saw alot of really neat things and I would have been crazy disappointed had I not been able to photograph them.

We saw all the normal creatures...tons of bunnies, herons, & deer, but we also saw things that we almost never see. Swans are something of a rarity at Bombay Hook, but this time there were 2 gorgeous swans who almost seemed to be posing for me. I took many shots of them, but the one that I have attached is so perfect that I think I might have to have a print made for my office. We also saw a pheasant, which I have NEVER seen at Bombay Hook before. He was not close at all, but I did manage to get a decent shot of him. By far the craziest thing that we saw were 3 foxes, which is 2 more than I have ever seen in a single trip. The first fox we saw acted appropriately when he saw our car - he took off. The next two were a different story - they stood RIGHT next to our car - they didn't even flinch or look in the least bit nervous about our proximity at all. The first one was so relaxed that he just laid down and watched us! The 2nd one looked quite young to me...he was adorable with one of his ears flopping over (which I am always a sucker for). Its hard to imagine that they are so used to people that they don't ever try to run from cars anymore, but I guess it must be so.

Anyway, here is the proof...er, I mean the pictures from our a visit. I hope you enjoy them. As always, you can click on a picture to enlarge it, and prints are available.

Happy Fathers Day...

Yesterday was my very favorite kind of day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous & everyones schedule was clear, so my family & I decided to celebrate Fathers Day by hitting the road with no particular place to go.

As so many of our free days go, we headed towards water. Our first stop was Wye Island MD, where we meandered through a path of overgrown Osage Orange trees. The antique trees were gnarled & bent to form a tunnel of sorts. It was a wonderful place for pictures, & once again Mother Nature reminded me why I hate fake backdrops & will probably never have an indoor studio. After about a miles walk, we found ourselves on tiny a secluded beach, just perfect for wading, relaxing, skipping stones & spending time with my 2 favorite people.

After Wye Island, we came back to Dover to watch the Thunderbirds & check out some of our favorite haunts. I would love to blog some more (tons of great pictures from the day including a fox that let me get crazy close to it!!!) but work beckons. I have weddings to edit, albums to design...and this week I have 2 weddings!

I hope your family had as wonderful a day as mine did. Peace.

Hey there little friend!

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Hi! This is my little girl hummingbird who comes to the feeder that hangs only about 1 foot away from the desk where I do all of my work. There are several hummingbirds that fly in & out for a quick bite all day long, but this little girl is my most frequent visitor, and she makes me smile every time I see her. She usually checks in once or twice every 10 minutes, and I can tell her apart from all of the others because she has a cute little black spot on her chest, & because she is so much less flighty then the others are. She doesn't seem to mind that I watch her...its almost like we really are friends.

I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. Happy Summer.

If you are interested in purchasing a print, just let me know!

The British Invasion...

One of the neat things about my job is that I get to meet interesting people & make new friends, and Kevan & Anne's wedding yesterday was certainly no exception. The Delaware Wahligs & the Lee's from across the pond were so much fun & were so gracious, warm & welcoming that by the time I left I felt almost like family.

The day started off as planned in Rehoboth at All Saints with a beautiful, moving wedding ceremony, moved to the Rehoboth Beach Country Club for a lovely lunch (complete with colorful beach towels as guest favors - great idea Anne!), & then transitioned into a cocktail hour/clambake back at the "Old Cottage" in Dewey. I adored the cottage, which was built by Annes Great Grandfathers grandfather pre civil war.

Throughout the nearly 12 hours that I spent with Anne & Kevan, they were so relaxed & so thoroughly happy...the kind of couple that it does a heart good to spend time with. Sadly, Mother Nature put the kibosh on the planned beach bonfire, but "plan B" was wonderful too. A big thumbs up to you all for being so flexible, and a heartfelt thank you for being so nice. I hope you enjoy your pictures and your trip to Paradise. Check back for updates concerning the proofs. Talk soon.

Click on image to enlarge & please feel free to leave a comment!

______________________

Beth, your pictures of the wedding and reception(s) speak volume of your talent! You were personable and fit right in with all the guests. Your personality, talent and professionalism is superior, you made us all feel special! It was an awesome Day and the pictures taken speak volume of the love that was there for Anne and Kevan! P.S. Thanks for taking time to capture some excellent guests shots too...I just placed my order! Best Regards,Beth Elswick

How does your garden grow?

Stephens garden '09 has been in the ground for several weeks now. This year (largely due to the fact that my husband is WONDERFUL!) we have tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, bush green beans, eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini (look for mysteriously placed bags of them on your doorstep in late summer as we desperately try to unload them), cucumber & okra, which Mark insisted on planting despite the gagging noises I made...ew.

Our garden is multi purpose this year. Not only do I anticipate many meals full of lovely organic veggies, but I am anxiously awaiting the wonderful feeling that I get when I watch my smiling little boy munch cherry tomatoes right from the vine. This, in my opinion, is one of lifes most wonderful pleasures. ♥

This year our garden is also going to be used as bait. You see, the last time my sister paid me a summertime visit (from gorgeous Huntington Beach where the average annual temperature seems to be around 73 degrees), we had a heat wave. With temperatures that hovered between 99-104 degrees every single day & humidity levels that felt to be around 4 million, Stephanie SWORE that she would never, EVER step foot in Delaware during the summertime again. Ever. If it hadn't been her love of my homegrown tomatoes (you see where I am going with this, right?!) I don't think she would have found any redeeming outdoor qualities about Delaware at all. So keep your fingers crossed that I can keep the garden watered, weeded & safe from from the bunnies, deer & other various local critters so maybe my sister will come see me.

Hopefully I soon will post a picture of us enjoying our first tomato sandwiches of the season, and with any luck, my sister will be in the picture.

Meghan & Sam

Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking some engagement pictures for Meghan & Sam, who are planning an October wedding. If I know Meghan, the wedding will be beautiful - I can hardly wait to see it! Hope you like the pictures guys! See you soon...

The lovely Trisha...

This lovely lady is Trisha, and these are her senior pictures. Trishie (as her parents call her) is one of those natural beauties that make my job so enjoyable! Keep in touch Trisha, and enjoy college!!

I have to confess that I haven't been so great about updating my blog recently. I have some weddings to blog about, as well as some engagement sessions, family portraits & senior portraits to get busy posting. Stay tuned!